The Flute and the Flame An orchestral tale inspired by Mozart’s "The Magic Flute"
In a realm where music shaped reality, the Kingdom of Harmonia teetered between light and shadow. For years, the radiant Queen of Crescendia ruled with sweeping legatos and thunderous chords, but some whispered of her darkness beneath the shimmer.
When the young flutist Tim set out on a pilgrimage to the Grand Conservatory, he never imagined he’d be swept into an ancient feud.
One morning, as the mists curled over the rooftops of the orchestra hall, a glowing orb landed at Tim’s feet. Inside it, a voice shimmered: Â
"Brave musician, the harmony of the realm is in danger. A noble conductor seeks the truth. Follow the melody, and you shall find your part in restoring balance."
Tim glanced at his flute, heart pounding. Something about the message sang deep in his bones.
The next evening, during rehearsal, the orb reappeared—this time before Dale, the esteemed conductor of the Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra. Known for her calm presence and piercing insight, Dale rarely strayed from the musical score. But tonight, she paused mid-beat and held the orb up to the light. Its message was different for her.
"You must guide the chosen musicians through the trials of rhythm, silence, and soul. Trust your baton. Trust them."
Rehearsal ended early that night.
By dawn, Dale and Tim found themselves transported to the Echoing Vale—a realm where the land responded to musical expression. Shadows in the shape of dissonant chords hunted them, but when Tim played the Allegro Aria on his flute, paths would open, and enemies would fall silent.
They met allies along the way—an clarinetist named Angela with the power to calm storms, a horn player call Yoko who could summon fire, a percussionist named Barb who could speak to time. Each of them bore fragments of a forgotten overture that, when assembled and performed, could restore the lost harmony to Harmonia.
But the Queen of Crescendia was not ready to yield. She appeared one night under a blood moon, cloaked in shimmering sharps and minor thirds. Â
"Dale," she hissed, "you left my court. You betrayed me for silence and balance. Why return now?"
Dale stepped forward, baton raised. Â
"Not for you. For the music. For truth."
The final trial came in the form of a duet—Tim and Dale, their music weaving through impossible passages, counterpointing the Queen’s dissonant magic. Each note they played reawakened the land’s memory of peace. Each phrase unbound a trapped harmony.
At last, with one final trill, Tim shattered the Queen’s false reign.
Silence fell.
Then the wind rose—not a warning, but a warm applause through the leaves. The Echoing Vale glowed gold. Dale lowered her baton. Â
"We begin again."
Join us for more musical adventures on November 30th, 2pm at the Old Museum. Tickets via www.kgwo.org.au or click on the yellow button below. | 
